Botox® Cosmetic — Skin Procedures in Alabama

Botox Cosmetic logo Treatments with Botox Cosmetic® are available are available at Hedden Plastic Surgery in Birmingham, Alabama. Botox temporarily improves the appearance of frown lines, crow's feet, laugh lines and other wrinkles. Treatment is quick and minimally invasive, requiring only a few tiny injections into the muscles that cause frown lines.

What causes frown lines between the brows?
Just what is Botox Cosmetic? Is it FDA approved?
What is the difference between Botox and fillers?
What are the common side effects?
Have patients been happy with their results?
How can I be sure I'm getting real Botox Cosmetic?
How soon will I see a difference? What kind of results can I expect?
What is the treatment like?
How do I know if Botox is right for me?
Important Safety Information

Click here to download Botox Cosmetic consent forms! (PDF)

What causes frown lines between the brows?

The lines that appear between your brows actually result from muscle movement and the passage of time.

Two muslces are largely responsible for frown lines between the brows. When those muscles contract, they draw the brows together. As skin becomes less elastic over time, repeated frowning can result in those moderate to severe lines between the brows.

Just what is Botox Cosmetic? Is it FDA approved?

It is a purified protein administered in a simple nonsurgical procedure that temporarily improves the appearance of moderate to severe frown lines between the brows in people aged 18 to 65. During treatment, very low doses of Botox are administered via a few tiny injections directly into the muscles that cause those stubborn lines between the brows.

Botox received FDA approval in 2002 for the temporary treatment of moderate to severe frown lines between the brows in people 18 to 65 years of age. Botox is available by prescription only.

What is the difference between Botox and fillers?

Frown lines are caused by overactive facial muscles. Fillers mask the wrinkle by adding volume around the muscle with intradermal injections. Botox is intramuscular, blocking the chemicals that cause facial muslces to contract, thereby relaxing them. While there are many options available for fillers, Botox is the only product of its type that affects the muscles that cause these wrinkles.

What are the common side effects?

The most common side effects following injections of Botox include headache, respiratory infection, flu syndrome, temporary eyelid droop and nausea.

Have patients been happy with their results?

According to a recent survey of 200 dermatologists and plastic surgeons, Botox has the highest perceived patient satisfaction rating of all physician-administered treatments. And according to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), Botox was the most popular physician-administered cosmetic procedure, surgical or nonsurgical, in the United States with more than 3 million procedures performed in 2005.

How can I be sure I'm getting real Botox Cosmetic?

Only licensed and trained healthcare professionals have the experience necessary to administer Botox Cosmetic. Allergan, Inc., the maker of Botox, is the only source for healthcare professionals to purchase the product, and each label has the "Allergan" hologram.

How soon will I see a difference? What kind of results can I expect?

You can except to see results within days after your treatment. The appearance of the area between your brows may continue to improve for up to a week.

By day 30 in a patient clinical study, 89% of patients judged the severity of their frown lines between their brows as moderate or better.

What is the treatment like?

Botox treatment is quick and minimally invasive. Your doctor makes a few tiny injections into the muscles that cause moderate to severe frown lines between your brows.

Your doctor will determine exactly where to administer the injections to achieve the best results. No anesthesia is required, although he or she may choose to numb the area with a cold pack or anesthetic cream prior to injecting. The entire procedure takes approximately 10 minutes. Discomfort is minimal and brief — most patients compare the sensation to a bug bite. You may resume normal activity immediately.

Visible results can last up to 4 months. After that, you may be ready to return for a follow-up treatment. Your own results may vary — be sure to talk to your doctor about what you can expect.

How do I know if Botox is right for me?

If you are between the ages of 18 and 65, you may be a candidate for Botox Cosmetic.

You should not be treated with Botox if you have an infection at the proposed injection site. Patients with certain neurological disorders such as ALS, myathenia gravis or Lambert-Eaton syndrome may be at increased risk of serious side effects.

According to a survey by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), Botox is one of the least costly facial aesthetic procedures. And when you consider the difference it can make in the appearance of the moderate to severe frown lines between your brows, you may find Botox to be a great way to invest in yourself.

Important Safety Information

Patients with certain neurological disorders such as ALS, myasthenia gravis or Lambert-Eaton syndrome may be at increased risk of serious side effects. Serious allergic reactions have been rarely reported. If you think you are having an allergic reaction or other unusual symptoms such as difficulty swallowing, speaking or breathing, call your doctor immediately. The most common side effects following injection include headache, respiratory infection, flu syndrome, temporary eyelid droop and nausea. Ask your physician if you have any unanswered questions.

To find out more about Botox Cosmetic treatments, contact Hedden Plastic Surgery in Birmingham, Alabama today.